Industry Profile -- by Mark Sproxton

Walk into any hospital in Calgary, and you'll see hundreds of employees performing duties necessary, yet dramatically different from the person next to them. Some of these people work directly with patients, some with equipment, while others work with a combination of the two.

This issue of nextSteps looks at those working in technician or technologist positions, as defined by we lay people. Once inside the world of hospital technicians or technologists, the differences between the two titles is a hotly debated subject usually revolving around education and responsibilities. We've noted some differences, and if any were missed, no slight intended. More specifically, this issue focusses on non-nursing positions where people spend much, most, or all of their time dealing with tools and/or equipment. Some positions we've included in this tech issue have more contact with patients than others. That said, job potential for those considering work in a hospital tech position are fair for the next couple years, according to Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).

While no hospital can function without properly trained tech staff, the number of positions within each specialty is often limited. This means competition for those positions can be competitive, as can the process for being accepted to post-secondary training. Post-secondary is required for most hospital tech careers. New technology and new discoveries may increase the number and breadth of positions required in hospitals, but advances in automation may offset any new growth in some areas of the medical tech field, HRDC reports. And even if a job title is the same from one hospital to another, the day-to-day duties may vary.

As with any hospital-based position, government funding always factors into employment prospects. Overall, pay for tech positions is good, and can be quite high depending on qualifications, education, and experience.

Here are some of the positions, and qualifications, for hospital tech careers with information compiled from the federal and provincial governments, and the Calgary Regional Health Authority (CRHA):

Medical laboratory technologists conduct lab tests and procedures to pass information to doctors for treatment.

• a two-year diploma is required, although people can specialize in cytotechnology, or take a 14-month course combined with X-ray technology to work in rural hospitals (offered by NAIT)
• pay can range from $21,000 to $45,000 a year, according to 1997 figures
• many employment opportunities also exist in private medical labs, and may be the best bet for future job growth
• employment prospects good over next decade

Medical laboratory assistants work alongside medical lab technologists and may perform more duties with direct patient contact.

• a one-year certificate is often required (offered by SAIT)
• pay will be slightly lower than that of a lab technologist and will depend upon years of experience as well

Medical X-ray technologists, or radiography technologists, operate X-Ray equipment to produce pictures for diagnosis and treatment.

• a two-year diploma is required, or a 14-month course combined with medical lab technology to work in rural hospitals is available
• pay can range from $21,000 to $43,000 a year, according to 1997 figures

Operating room technicians help prepare operating rooms and patients for surgery, and may help clean and re-stock the operating room supplies.

• completion of an ORT course is required in addition to completing education requirements as a registered nurse (RN), or a licensed practical nurse (LPN). The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology offers this program
• pay can range from $13 to $16 per hour
• a federal employment forecast to 2002 calls for decreases in opportunities, although if governments limit spending, technicians may take over some positions and duties conducted by registered nurses

Sterile processing aides, and Surgical processors sterilize, assemble, test and distribute hospital supplies and instruments.

• completion of a sterile processing certificate is required (a six month program is available at SAIT)
  
• pay may vary from $11 to $13 per hour

Nuclear medicine technologists run specialized equipment and use radioactive compounds to help diagnose disease.

• completion of a post-secondary program is required (SAIT offers a two-year program)
• pay may vary from $18 to $25 per hour

A Registered orthopedic technician, among other duties, makes casts, traction devices, and splints for broken limbs.

• must be registered through an approved orthopedic technician association (and in Alberta be a graduate of an approved Licensed Practical Nurse program)
  
• pay may vary from $13 to $16 per hour

A Registered orthopedic technologist, among other duties, makes casts, traction devices, and splints for broken limbs.

• one 8-month Certificate in Orthopaedic Technology training program is available in Canada (Cape Breton), although technicians, with extensive experience, can challenge the national exams
• pay may vary from $17 to $25 per hour
• certification through national association required

Electroneurophysiology (ENP) Technologists use specialized equipment to track patients' nervous system for help with diagnosis.

• successful completion of a certified registration exam is required (no specific training course available in Alberta, although a two-year electroneurophysiology diploma is available at the British Columbia Institute of Technology)
• pay may vary from $19 to $24 per hour

Cardiology Technologists conduct tests used to diagnose heart disease.

• are trained on the job, but must complete several related medical training courses before taking national certification exams
• pay may vary from $15 to $20 per hour

 operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of various body elements and must have completed prior recognized medical training.

• must complete a certified sonographer training program (a 16- month, and a 14-month program are available in Alberta)
• pay may vary from $20 to $26 per hour